Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-01-16

Entering tRe mouse the VISITOR IS struck
with the happy admiXture of solidity, ele-
gsnce and good taste which distinguish
the design and embellishments Of the spa
cious vestibule. 1t IS by long odds the most
beautiful part of the house. On either
side are duplicated marble pillars, which
seem 10 answer the triple purpose of
supporting the floor immediately above.
dividing the passage into an entrance
and stairway hall, and fenking the noble
richly carpeted staircase which rises
from the center and leads to the private
apartments Of he legation.
The first object, however, which at
tracts the attention OF the visitor on the
landing opposite the street door. is a su-
peru life-sze portrait of Queen Victoria,
in imperial robes, standing beneath the
canopy of the throne. 1t is picture OF
q lovely girl of eighteen-the Victoria of
half century ago, not the gTeai-grand
mOtner Of to-day. y picture Of the queen
is an essential pGrt Of the furniture of
every British legation throughout the
world, and like the rest % the contents of
the building they are supplied by the gay.
eminent. u
To the right Of the vestibula is the IL
brary and office of Sir Sackyille West, q
spacious AMI admirably furnished st7Gy,
containing bookcases filled with q rich
collection of well selected literature, and
decorated with several fine eneravings,i
among which are portraits of DaGialWeH
ster snd Lord AshburtCn, who wsretot
the commission for settling the oregon
boundary question, and Q copy If Cnalon's
picture of the queen. Leaving the Library
we go through an 6lcOVe into smaller
apartment, where hang an interesting col
lection of paintings and engravirg5 of all
the gentlemen and noblemeu who have at
one time or another represented England
at Washington; among them are the
names of those who stand highest in Brit
ish diplomacy.
Passing out of the picture gallery and
crossing the vestibu!e we enter the DRAW
Ing or reception room, an apartment that
vies with the Blue Room at the Whitsl
House in the magGticeDCe Of its appoint
mentS. Red, the national color OF Eng
land, reigns supreme everywhere, and the
apartment is Carpeted and hung with
costly crimson brocade and gold, which
forms beautiful setting for the crystal
chandeliers, the splendid ottomanS and
the mural ornaments of Japanese and
Oth2r workmanship. Opening into the
drawing rooms by folding doors is the
commodious ball room, he largest in
Washington with the single exception of
that of the Chinese legation. The room
IS octagon at the ends and it's French
windows open on the pisZza overlooking
The garden. This room is also lifted Out
IN scarlet and gilt, and has magnificent
hanging and fixtures of every kind. The |
dining room is next &c the ball room, and |
shows an English sCliGity in finish and in !
tie fashion of the table, sIdeboards and |
chairs. 1t is large room with deep bay !
and 8 great open fireplace |
witt the English coat-Of-arms carved |
OF oak above the mantel The |
splendid mahogany table has seating !
capacity Of City guests with room enough /
to s2are, and every year on the queens !
birthday banquet given by the minis
ter, to whom ali the foreign ambassadors
resident il Washington are Invited. The
amiiy OF Sir Lionel consists of three
daughters, one Of WHOM made her debut
nto society at the grand annual bsll
which was given at the legation last week.
The eldest of the daughters, Miss Victo-
ia West, b&s been the hostess of her
sther'S house since lie has been in Amer
ca, and though she is still young, she
ispenses the hospitalities of the big
ouse with charming grace.
R L. C!UIIFR